[ryme]

Im thinking of changing the ATF fluid at 50k miles, and then the pan & filter at 100k miles. Is that reasonable?

I have a 2010 320i with N46 engine. I believe the gearbox for LCI is GM and not ZF.

Been reading a lot about how transmission fluid is not to be change with the reason being the gears might slip. I got this from BMW-SG forumers:

"There is some discussion about whether it's a good idea to change automatic transmission fluid once the transmission has reached a certain mileage.

The idea behind it is that ATF has detergents in it that keep the transmission clean, after the transmission reached a certain age the disks in the transmission can actually wear until they have a mirror like surface, at this point the only thing that keeps the disks from slipping is the contaminates in the fluid. changing the fluid with fresh clean fluid causes the disks to start slipping."

Is this true?I really want to keep this car for as long as I can so anyone with expert knowledge on a tranny can chime in. Thanks!

[cvc 22349a]

That could be true if you wait until 100k mi. 50k is the right mileage to service your AT if you plan to keep the car past 100k. Just had my AT serviced at 53k cuz I plan to keep the car another 10 yrs. Change the pan w/integrated filter with you drain/fill the fluid.

[ryme]

Thanks for the feedback. So when you change the ATF oil,u replaced the pan and filter as well? I read somewhere in this forum to just change the ATF oil at 50k mi, then change ATF oil and replace pan & filter at 100k mi. Is that legit?

[Snyperx]

Saw this thread and am now concerned. I have 78k miles on my 2006 325i and have no idea if the ATF fluid has been changed or not since I got the car with 65k on it. I was looking at doing a fluid/filter change here before Winter or in Spring when I was close to 100k. Should I NOT do this considering the mileage on my car??

UPDATE: I called my dealer and they stated that they typically do a fluid flush on the tranny at 100k. They also use 100K as the "Life Time Fluid" window. He went on to say that they (my dealer) have never run into an issue when doing a fluid flush at 100k that leads to slipping within the gears.

[F32Fleet]

The ATs seem to.ba able to.handle the 100k mile interval. ZF has a "severe service" interval on their 6speed AT.

[Chriztofor]

This is what I do http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=367729.

No problems to report.

[Snyperx]

Well I just ordered this kit:

http://www.thectsc.com/index.php?p=p...=187&parent=61

I decided to play it safe and go with the OEM fluid. With all the information and mis-information I decided not to risk causing an issue with my transmission. My Bentley manual even says to not mix fluids and to use the Shell M-1375.4 fluid in my tranny.

[AlanAZ]

Originally Posted by Snyperx

Well I just ordered this kit:

http://www.thectsc.com/index.php?p=p...=187&parent=61

I decided to play it safe and go with the OEM fluid.

Good call. Not that I have an AT, but the concensus is to stay with OEM fluid. Probably in part because you're not going to get close to all the old fluid out, and it's best not to mix.